New to 4X5, and already a tripod problem (Calumet monorail)

[Konical]

Good Evening, Jon,

This looks like the tripod mount on the 400-series Calumets. Mine is identical except that the threaded insert protrudes just slightly, maybe 1/8 inch or so. Maybe you just need a slightly longer tripod screw.

Konical

[Ian Grant]

Some tripod heads allow more flexibility of the tripod screw allowing you to easily attach a tripod to a base plate like yours. My Slik & Manfrotto tripods would be fine, however an old Culman and unbranded tripod wouldn't.

Good tripods for LF cameras usually have a tripod screw which can be screwed fully into the cameras tripod socket before being tightened by a locking ring/nut on the tripod. This is a Manfrotto head/tripod screw showing what I mean by flexibility.


Ian

[tlsid]

i also have a calumte and had the same problem mounting on a tripod. my fix was kinda of radical and unconvensional. took my drummel tool with cutting blade and cut the two raised parts off. it mounts just fine now, no problems.

[Jon Shiu]

Good Evening, Jon,

This looks like the tripod mount on the 400-series Calumets. Mine is identical except that the threaded insert protrudes just slightly, maybe 1/8 inch or so. Maybe you just need a slightly longer tripod screw.

Konical

I was just showing this so the original poster could see if his was different. I don't actually have any problem mounting this camera to the tripod. I would recommend a sturdy tripod with a large enough mounting surface for this camera.

Jon

[John Kasaian]

Have you contacted Calumet? IIRC they still support the 400 cameras. Maybe they have a "fix?"

[PHOTOTONE]

The brass 3/8 to 1/4 inserts are available here for $5

http://araxfoto.com/accessories/tripod-adapter/

[Rich Ullsmith]

That's exactly what it looks like. I'm trying to contact the lady I bought the kit from, as she might still have the piece. Otherwise, I guess it's time to get creative.

[Rich Ullsmith]

Excuse me, the above was in reference to Jon's picture. And thanks, Ian, I wish I could work this with my Tiltall. But it doesn't appear that the screw will extend any farther than it is.

[PHOTOTONE]

The TiltAll tripod was designed for Leica RFDR and other minature cameras. It has a rather short mounting screw.